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By Neha Tresa George
REGIONAL
Roberta Metsola re-elected as the President of the European Parliament
On 16 July, Deutsche Welle reported on the re-election of Malta’s Roberta Metsola as president of the European Parliament for another two-and-a-half-year term. She won 562 votes leaving her left-wing rival Irene Montero of Spain with only 61 votes. The victory came amidst criticism over her derailed efforts to advance women’s rights. Metsola expressed her gratitude to the assembly and urged lawmakers to confirm the "belief that ours is a Europe for all." She also promised to create a new security and defence framework for the safety of people. (“Malta's Metsola re-elected as EU Parliament president,” Deutsche Welle, 16 July 2024)
ECR group divided over the re-election of Ursula Von der Leyen
On 16 July, POLITICO reported on the divide among the European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) group in the EU over the re-election of Ursula Von der Leyen as the European Commissioner. The ECR group led by the Brothers of Italy party and Poland’s Law and Justice has 78 out of the 720 MEPs in the Parliament. Von der Leyen faced an intense discussion with the ECR group where she had to answer about 50 questions on the Green Deal, migration and war threats from Russia. Although Giorgia Meloni, Italy’s Prime Minister was expected to support her, Meloni abstained from voting when the EU officials had their chance last month. According to an ECR spokesperson, Romanian, French and Polish delegations had decided to vote no. This was because of their opinion that Von der Leyen did not do much for the goodwill of Europe. One Polish lawmaker also expressed skepticism about her re-election as he argued that “not all Italians would vote in favour of her.” For a second term, Von der Leyen needs the support of 361 MEPs out of the 720 in the Parliament. (Eddy Wax And Max Griera, “Giorgia Meloni’s hard-right European Parliament group split on supporting von der Leyen,” POLITICO, 16 July 2024)
Two new far-right groups- Patriots for Europe and Europe of Sovereign Nations fail secure position in the European Parliament
On 16 July, Euronews reported on the failure of the two new far-right groups to secure any position of the vice presidents in the European Parliament. Out of the 14 positions, five were won by the centre-left Socialists and Democrats, three by the European People’s Party (EPP), two by the liberal Renew Europe, one by the Greens group and two by the ECR. The far-right candidates from the Patriots for Europe, led by the French National Rally's Jordan Bardella and Europe of Sovereign Nations (ESN) of Alternative for Germany (AfD) were voted down by the coordinated efforts of the centrist groups. A Patriots spokesperson was of the opinion that the “cordon sanitaire” to keep off the far-rights from power was “undemocratic” and an “insult to European citizens.” (Mared Gwyn Jones, “Two far-right groups cordoned off from power roles in the European Parliament,” Euronews, 16 July 2024)
FRANCE
Macron accepts the resignation of Prime Minister, Gabriel Attal
On 16 July, POLITICO reported that Emmanuel Macron, France’s President accepted the resignation submitted by Gabriel Attal, the Prime Minister of France. According to a statement by the Elysée, the official website of the French Republic, Macron urged "all Republican forces" to reach an agreement to end this transition period "as soon as possible." The resignation has set forth a transitory period usually up to nine days to appoint a new executive. Till then, the outgoing administration carried out the role of “caretaker government.” Although the choice of Prime Minister and cabinet executives lie with Macron, the prevailing political uncertainty paints a blurry image for France. The victorious left-wing New Popular Front coalition seemed far from gaining an absolute majority in the National Assembly. The executives under the caretaker government could continue their daily duties until a political judgment or legal questions were raised. (“French government resigns, ushering in indefinite transition period,” POLITICO, 16 July 2024)
GEORGIA
Journalists face restrictions and lack of funding after foreign agent bill
On 16 July, POLITICO reported on the findings of two press freedom watchdogs on the condition of journalists in Georgia. According to the European Center for Press and Media Freedom, reporters faced a “lack of proper funding, restricted access to public information and lawsuits targeting them.” The article also emphasised the treatment of Belarusian and Russian journalists who were forced to flee from Russia. Meanwhile, the Media Freedom Coalition, backed by 51 countries like the US, UK, Germany and France issued another statement on the “physical assaults and the destruction of journalists’ working property. Earlier this month, Paweł Herczyński, the EU’s ambassador to Georgia said that the country’s chances to join the bloc were low due to a controversial “foreign agent bill” passed by the government. (Gabriel Gavin, “Press freedom in Georgia at crisis point, NGOs warn,” POLITICO, 16 July 2024)
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